Nissan Denki Cube Concept: Boxy Goes Electric

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In an effort to compete with the Scion xB in a fast-growing youth market, Nissan will be bringing its renowned Cube stateside. We already reported on the Cube’s American debut. And although Nissan Denki Cube Concept, currently showcased at the NY International Auto Show, features an-all electric drivetrain, the rest of the car is a good cue of what’s to come in 2009.

But for now boxy goes electric. The Denki Cube is a full-fledged EV with a potent Li-ion pack under its hood. CNET says that each of the car’s 24 battery modules is made up of four thin cells, resulting in a 100-mile range and a top speed of 75 mph.

Of course the electric drivetrain is for bragging rights only. What’s paramount, is the fact that Denki’s stretched body, as well as its new interior, dashboard, audio system and a third row of seats are likely to be carried over to the American variant, poised to hit showrooms in the spring of next year.

Unlike the smaller 1.3-liter version already on sale in Japan, the Denki Concept is 9.4 inches longer. The Japanese model is also bare-bones empty, devoid of amenities as basic as a stereo. Now finding itself in America, the show version gets more comfortable front seats, an LCD dash instead of an analog cluster, and a center console with what looks to me like climate control and a possible sound system. If any of these features make it to the production variant, xB marketing gurus will have a lot of head scratching to do.